A REAL battle is expected in Cathedral, the city centre ward known for being a real 'bellwether' contest at the Guildhall.

Both the Conservatives and Labour realise how important this seat is - and for the party that loses, it could well spell a year in opposition.

This is Worcester's biggest ward, stretching from the city centre and all the issues that entails to the revived, ever-improving realm of Diglis.

That means shopping, city congestion, taxi drivers, late night licensing, the homeless, all of these topics and more fill the workload of those representing it.

Because of its size three city councillors sit in Cathedral, two of which are Labour and one Conservative.

This year it's Councillor Allah Ditta's time to face the voters, the veteran Tory and former mayor who now chairs the licensing committee.

Cllr Ditta, who lost his county council seat in this area in 2013, clung onto his city one in 2011 with a majority of just 24 votes over Labour's Lynn Denham.

One year later she stood again and got in, beating former Tory councillor Francis Lankester by just 60 votes herself, showing how competitive Cathedral is.

On top of that, current Labour Councillor Jabba Riaz was a Conservative in Cathedral but dramatically quit to cross the floor in October 2013, before he stood and retained his seat for his new party by 198 votes in last year's elections- another chapter in the ward's fascinating saga.

The voting profile seems split virtually equally between the Tories and Labour, putting it right at the heart of city politics.

So expect Labour's candidate Adam Scott, a former local government planning expert, to push Cllr Ditta very hard.

In the background are candidates from UKIP in activist Hazel Finch, Jane Moorhouse for the Greens, who also do well here, Andy Morgan from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) and BNP member Andrew North.

It's a six-way battle and the aim for both the Conservatives and Labour will be to get at least 1,000 votes - every additional vote over and above that will be priceless for either side.

This is one of two wards, the other being Claines, which really is tough to call.

ALLAH DITTA (Con)

As one of your city councillors I have supported a number of initiatives to help improve our area and the wider city.

Living in the heart of our ward I am close to the issues that affect our community.

In the last year I have worked to reverse the Labour Party’s cuts in street cleaning and play areas, secured £500,000 investment for the city centre and introduced cheaper car parking charges, to encourage drivers to park responsibly.

Tackling congestion in the city centre is a priority and I have supported moves to complete the dualling of the Southern Link Road which will provide an effective alternative to the one-in-five cars currently travelling unnecessarily through the city centre.

This year’s Conservative budget has also included resources to tackle some of the very local issues, such as damaged street signs, more cycle racks and keeping our riverside clean, tidy and attractive.

Labour’s time in power showed us how disastrous a Labour Council can be: cutting services, putting up council tax and parking charges and letting standards slip. We can’t afford another year of Labour’s mismanagement.

HAZEL FINCH (UKIP)

I joined UKIP in 2002 because I firmly believe Britain should be free to govern itself and not be ruled by an undemocratic foreign power in Brussels.

The EU costs us £55m a day in membership fees, whilst a further £23m a day goes on foreign aid.

When I look round Worcester and see the effects on our local economy that years of austerity imposed on us since 2010 have had, I have to say that money would be better spent at home.

UKIP councillors around the country are working hard, listening to constituents and voting in accordance with their wishes. Unlike other party councillors, UKIP are not constrained by a party whip.

We are free to serve the community in which we live and work and put constituents before party.

JANE MOORHOUSE (Green)

This is my first year as a Worcester resident having moved here simply because I fell in love with the city.

I support the Green Party because of its grass roots, common sense approach to politics and because I am tired of politicians who seem to have forgotten they exist to represent the public.

I believe that residents in a community are the people who know their community best, they know the problems in their community and often are able to suggest the best solutions too - politicians need to listen to them more.

As a keen environmentalist I support many of the community led environmental initiatives across the city including Healthy Planet, Worcester Canal Group, Transition Worcester and the Worcester Resource Centre.

I would like to see older buildings brought back into use as housing and feel it makes sense that any new buildings should be extremely energy efficient.

I believe in encouraging local businesses, local produce, local food and local jobs.

ANDY MORGAN (TUSC)

Cathedral ward deserve the opportunity to reject cuts and privatisation.

Austerity is nothing but an attack on the living standards, pay and conditions of workers in order to increase profit margins.

This problem is acute in social care where the "efficiency" of privatisation means corners are cut because shareholders come before doing the job properly.

UKIP's ex-stockbroker leader wants us to blame immigration for undermining workers' pay and conditions.

But the real problem is not the free movement of workers, but that of huge private fortunes into tax havens, coupled with debilitating anti-trade union laws which Labour won't repeal.

Unions are the self-defence organisations of workers and must be free to organise effectively.

There is a direct correlation between the share of wealth going to workers and trade union membership.

UKIP seek to remove the few workers' rights that remain.

Despite their hand-wringing, Labour are as committed to these failed policies as the Tories. Thirty-five years of this race to the bottom must end. TUSC believe we need a new party for working class people.

ANDREW NORTH (BNP)

If you vote for the other parties you will be lied to and betrayed again.

Labour the warmongers, who want open borders and immigration.

The Tories, who promised a referendum yet failed to deliver it and also failed to cut immigration.

The Lib Dems who do as the Tories say. The Green Party want an amnesty for 600,000 illegal immigrants to stay here.

Ukip who are not what they appear, but in fact are just Tories on media hype.

If you want action on Britain's problems vote BNP.

On a local level we would offer free parking at the hospital, priority for Worcester people for jobs, training and housing.

ADAM SCOTT (Lab)

I am standing for election because I want to help Worcester develop in the right way, and I know my skills and experience can be put to good use.

I took early retirement from my job with Blackburn four years ago and came home to Worcester.

I’ve become involved with a number of local projects, including Worcester Community Trust, the canal group, Transition Worcester, as well as playing golf, and keeping an allotment.

Worcester is a great place to live, but I believe my skills and experience in local government can help tackle Worcester's challenges and opportunities, for example:

Helping local residents tackle the blight of commuter parking and speeding through residential streets Supporting neighbourhoods develop community resources, such as meeting places and new groups Maintaining the momentum of regeneration.

Improving access and safety for pedestrians, especially those with limited mobility and promoting cycling.

Environmental improvements along the river and canal.

Promoting energy conservation in our older housing stock.

Sensible planning and licensing decisions.

Helping support new businesses through business mentoring scheme, and helping resolve the muddle over taxi policy.

Cathedral ward is the heart of the city, it's incredibly diverse and it would be a fascinating area which I would be proud to represent.